 |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Maremmas
do not need training to do their work as guardian.
The following general rules are therefore
very useful to remember when raising a Maremma pup as a Livestock Guardian.
1. DO Allow your Maremma to be a full time livestock guardian
dog.
2. DO Allow your Maremma to follow his own instincts.
3. DO NOT allow your Maremma to play with the livestock.
.............Maremmas may however play with
each other.
4. DO NOT allow humans to play physical or chasing
games with your Maremma.
5. DO NOT allow your Maremma to be in any territory
that is not, or will not become its own territory.
6. DO NOT obedience train your Maremma. (This refers
to full training on a maremma intended for full time .............guarding
only.)
7. NEVER strike your Maremma with hand or weapon except as a last
resort in a serious dominance conflict.
8. NEVER call your dog away from his guarding duties.
9. NEVER interfere unless to save your dog from imminent
death.
10. NEVER pen or chain your Maremma as a punishment or
insult.
11. DO NOT expect too much too soon.
It
takes 12 - 24 months for a Maremma to become a mature guardian.
The
acid test of successful livestock guarding is that the Maremma stays with
the herd because
HE
wants to, and not because
YOU
want him to.
After
reading all this information, you must evaluate your own personal situation.
There is a difference in how you raise and socialise a maremma pup depending
on your situation. Many maremmas are living on "hobby farms", that is
less than say 100 acres, usually of mixed livestock. In these situations,
the maremma naturally becomes more of general farm and family guardian
happily, and guarding is not impeded at all.
In
fact it nevers ceases to amaze me to learn of the many ways maremmas the
world around have so successfully adapted to their different situations
and responsibilities.
It also depends upon the degree of threat your stock are under, as to
whether you can take the dog from the property. Many people keeping more
than a single dog, on smaller farms find that they can take one dog to
classes or the show, leaving a guardian behind. The maremma who is devoted
to his stock frets when removed from them if he knows they are left vulnerable.
If however, the maremmani are to guard on large properties, they are well
advised to have little socialisation with humans and houses, outside of
routine chores and basic training, in order to prevent them viewing a
visit to the house as a viable reason for leaving their charges unattended.
I am however very against treating the maremma as a feral dog, that needs
little attention. Hoppers of dry food are indeed practical on large stations.
However, the owner stills needs to tend the dog regularly, and feed fresh
meals on these rounds, the dry food being only a supplement. The dogs
need to be checked for health condition, wormed and vaccinated regularly,
just like any other canine. You will soon develop a healthy working relationship
with your dog in this situation, by reinforcing that you are the owner
of the property, and care for the stock and the dogs alike, and the dog
treats you as a partner.
Their devotion to the stock is a true bond, and to have the respect of
a maremma that shares your farm is one of the most wonderful experiences
I have personally known.
When raising my first pups here I was so careful to adhere to all the
rules I was taught. It was difficult not to pick up this gorgeous pup
and cuddle it, for me and my 4 children. I loved him, but held back attention
except for his feeding times.
I don't believe you throw a young pup out in the paddock and off he
goes!
He had a small paddock just off our back yard, with always some goats.
We rotated the animals every couple of days, so they all got to go out
and graze properly most days. He spent his time playing pup stuff among
them, but was never permitted to play physically with them. We was able
to supervise easily as he was close.
I ended up with more pups over a couple of years, and each time, direct
play and attention was not given by us to pups.
As the dogs matured and were obviously totally bonded to their goats,
the rules were slowly, slightly laxed, and they became more and more a
part of the family. Their bond was made firmly to their livestock, and
they work well. They are gentle with the children (tho Briana does like
to abscond with the odd cricket ball at a crucial moment...), and treat
them with great respect.
When Briana came to us unexpectedly, I suddenly had a maremma that had
not been "working with livestock", and has been highly socialised. She
cares not at all to go with the goats and other dogs, but guards all the
lower area of the farm - the house area.
Here she has charge of chickens, a pony, cats and the family.
Between them all, they have the whole place well covered, and all dogs
have their place and responsibilities.
I am loathe to sell pups into pet situations (that is not to farms), due
to their great intelligence, and need for so much exercise. They are successfully
kept as pets the world around, but they are a working guardian to the
core of their being, and must be expected to behave as such.
Please be sure to read the article by Franca Simondetti
that describes
from years of wonderful experience the maremma as described by one of
the worlds leading authorities on the breed.
Please refer to the FAQ for more information on raising a maremma and training issues. There are questions answered there on training dogs for working and companion situations, as well as answers to coping with problem behaviour.